Phalenopsis orchid plant named ‘Olivia’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Olivia’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with a purple/violet haze and purple/violet stripes and a purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsishybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Olivia’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Olivia’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. Theleaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellowand red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots whichfrequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. Theresulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be plantedin a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Olivia’ is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg,Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Olivia’ originated from a cross made by theinventor in 1999 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female orseed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Little Hatter’,unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivardesignated ‘Little Gem Stripes’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis‘Olivia’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a singleflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in 2007 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culturewas first performed in November, 2007 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, TheNetherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘Olivia’, which in combination distinguishthis Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are white with a purple/violet haze and        purple/violet stripes and a purple labellum;    -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;    -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using        tissue culture;    -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and    -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Olivia’, the female parent‘Little Hatter’ has white flowers with a red labellum and the maleparent ‘Little Gem Stripes’ has light pink striped flowers and a purplelabellum, whereas the flowers of ‘Olivia’ are white with a purple/violethaze and purple/violet stripes and a purple labellum.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Olivia’ can be meaningfullycompared is ‘Submarine’ (unpatented). The size of the plant of ‘Olivia’is a little smaller and also the flower of ‘Olivia’ is a little smallerthan the flower of ‘Submarine’. The color of the sepals and petals of‘Submarine’ is darker purple than the color of ‘Olivia’ and also differsthe shape of the labellum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis ‘Olivia’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of‘Olivia’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘Olivia’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Olivia’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Olivia’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Olivia’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of theplant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Olivia’ asgrown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, underconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Olivia’ is27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of‘Olivia’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Olivia’ are a minimum of5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with levelof 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of‘Olivia’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. Theage of the ‘Olivia’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Little Hatter’, unpatented.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated            ‘Little Gem Stripes’, unpatented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 4 mm-7            mm wide and green in color (RHS 144A and RHS 148C); freely            branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue            culture to initiate roots.-   Plant:    -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest            flower): about 35 cm to 40 cm. Spread: about 30 cm to 40 cm.        -   Growth habit.—Small; dark green leaves (RHS 137B) and a            relatively large raceme.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks            2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after            a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of            about 19° C. about 1-3 racemes with flowers appear.-   Foliage:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6 to 8 leaves are produced before            flowering.        -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two            sides.        -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval, the tip blunt and asymmetric.        -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Mature leaf length.—About 15 to 20 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—About 8 cm.        -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 1.5 mm.        -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137B). Under side:            yellow/green (RHS 146B).        -   Leaf base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:            green (RHS 137A). Under side: yellow/green (RHS 146A).-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.-   Raceme:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 10 to 25.        -   Length.—About 25 to 35 cm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—Purple (RHS N77A) with yellow/green (RHS 144A).-   Buds:    -   -   Height (from base to tip).—About 10 mm to 15 mm.        -   Diameter (at midpoint).—About 10 mm to 15 mm.        -   Shape.—Egg-shaped/oval.        -   Color.—Main color is yellow/green (RHS 149B) with purple            stripes and a purple haze (RHS N77B).-   Flowering time: For an untreated plant (flowering plant that has not    undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a temperature of    18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after a period of about 30    weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-3 racemes appear with buds and    flowers. First flowers can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months    after planting a plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers    persistent.-   Flowering longevity: On the plant: about 4 to 6 months; lastingness    of cut flowers: has not been observed.-   Fragrance: No fragrance.-   Flower:    -   -   Rate of opening.—Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days            after petal and sepal separation.        -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.        -   Shape.—Typical Shape of Phalaenopsis Orchid; see FIG. 2.        -   Size.—Height: about 40 to 50 mm. Diameter: about 45 to 55            mm.        -   Quantity and arrangement.—Three petals and three sepals that            are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals            are more pronounced than sepals.-   Petals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral            petals and labellum.        -   2 Lateral petals.—Overall shape: little triangular and            weakly cupped. Apex: round/oval. Margin: entire and weakly            undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 26 mm. Width:            about 25 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny.            Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            upper side: edges are white (RHS NN155B). Veins are            purple/violet (RHS N80A) and a purple/violet haze (RHS            N80C). Under side: edges are white (RHS NN155B). At the base            white (RHS NN155B) with purple/violet (RHS N80D) and a            purple haze (RHS N80C). Middle vein is purple/violet (RHS            N80A). The other stripes are (RHS N80B and RHS N80C).        -   Labellum.—Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent            callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and            base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward            about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is            terminated by 2 filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral            lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe            is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: Entire            and weakly undulate. Apex: Oval. Length: About 18 mm. Width            (not flattened): About 15 mm. Depth of tube created by            lateral lobes of labellum: About 8 mm. Texture: Upper and            under surface: Smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):            Midlobe: upper surface: main color is purple (RHS N79B)            which runs into purple at the edges and the cirrhi (RHS            N81A). At the base some white (RHS NN155B) and yellow/orange            (RHS 15A). Under surface: Main color is white (RHS NN155B).            Outer edges are purple (RHS N81A) which runs into RHS N79C.            At the base some yellow (RHS 12A). Lateral lobs: upper            surface: main color is purple (RHS N79B). At the base some            white (RHS NN155C). At the end purple (RHS N81A). Under            surface: at the base grey/purple (RHS N187D) which runs into            RHS N187C) and into purple (RHS N79C) with a small white            edge (RHS NN155B).        -   Cirrhi.—About 8 mm (middle). Color: purple (RHS N79C) which            runs into white (RHS NN155B).        -   Pestle (callosities).—Length: about 4 mm. Width (not            flattened): about 3 mm. Color: sides are white (RHS NN155C),            the edges and inside are yellow/orange (RHS 14A) with a            purple spots (RHS N79A).-   Sepals:    -   -   Arrangement.—Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one dorsal and            two lateral sepals.        -   Overall shape.—Oval; dorsal sepal is weakly cupped.        -   Margin.—entire and weakly undulate.        -   Length.—about 24 mm.        -   Width.—about 15 mm.        -   Apex.—oval and little pointy.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.        -   Color (when fully opened).—upper surface: Dorsal: The main            color is purple (RHS N80C) the edges are white (RHS NN155B)            the stripes and veins are purple (RHS N80A). Lateral: The            main color is white (RHS NN155B). Stripes are purple (RHS            N80A) and a purple haze (RHS N80C). At the base yellow/green            mark (RHS 154D) with purple spots (RHS N80A). Underside:            Dorsal: edges are white (RHS NN155D) with vague purple            stripes (RHS 77A) and a purple haze (RHS 77C). Lateral: Main            color is white (RHS NN155D). Vague purple stripes (RHS 77A)            and a purple haze (RHS 77C). At the base a vague            yellow/green mark (RHS 151D).-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—About 30 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 3 mm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.        -   Color.—From purple (RHS N77A) to purple (RHS 77C) with a            yellow/green haze (RHS 145B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.        -   Column.—Length: about 9 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:            purple/violet (RHS N80B) and white (RHS NN155B).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 1 mm. Color: orange            (RHS 24A).        -   Ovary.—Length: about 3 mm. Diameter: about 4 mm. Color:            white (RHS NN155B).-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.    and to a high temperature about 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named‘Olivia’, as illustrated and described herein.